Messages - hcnate

I concur with all the previous posts. At this time, I'm one of those "crappy LSAT guys, high ugpa" guys.

Since coming to law school, my performance for four hours on a fateful October morning has meant absolutely nothing to my overall performance in law school.

For me, I tend to think that you need to work in the manner that has consistantly helped in maintaing an original high gpa. I am a big advocate of work early/work often. I front load all of my weeks with work (as long as my course work is known at the time) and tend to wind down towards the end of the week. Additionally, this gives me time to work on things that are not school related (career) or any unexpected class related emergencies.

Heading into finals, I usually attempt to have my outlines done for the most part well in advance of finals so that I can work on memorization/application of the materials well in advance of the test. Plus, it gives you time to update.

Anyway, I strongly believe its feasible. I survived and placed myself in the top 20%, well higher than my lsat would have "predicted" what my rank would be.

We're learning the basic general progression of a case as it starts from the original filing of a complaint through the trial.

A recommendation I had heard was to attempt to read the stuff on jurisdiction first, to get the ground work (obviously, if this is what you're doing ignore this). Additionally, I've purchased the "EZ Rules: Civil Procedure" book which gives you a broader overview. I wouldn't rely upon it for your knowledge, but it gives you a bit of a "dumbed down" look at each rule.

I second the thing about Torts and the professor hating. I have a professor who loves Torts and is the authority in the State of Washington on the subject (he wrote the book). This tends to liven up the material. I think this is probably something that holds true with pretty much all of the subjects.

First - JackInTheBox - I think you would find that as a Gonzaga graduate you would have more opportunities than UIdaho, from my understanding. In terms of SeattleU, while albeit a lower "tier" ranking according to U.S. News, it compares favorably. The bar passage rate and state respect for the school (which are probably more important) are as high, if not higher in both departments. Many of my contemporaries have had little trouble finding work in firms in Seattle, particularly in botique firms. In the Spokane area, it seems practically automatic in terms of placement, as long as you do your homework and don't totally slack off academically.

Second - Perversely - Spokane is a great, up and coming city. While the economic conditions depressed the town in the late 1980s, there has been an economic infusion lately for downtown renovations to buildings. I am by far not a local and have only been here 8 months. I do enjoy it. In addition to that, Gonzaga and the clout it carries within the state legislature, have given an infusion to the community around the University. Also, it is gorgeous. Mountains abound, tons of skiing, trails, lakes etc. for outside activities.

On a note about bar passage rates - everyone takes a class after graduation, regardless of where you go. It should just be something that is mandated by any university. Depending upon whether you take the class or not, thats your decision, but probably has something to with the rates of some schools versus others (like percentage of students who do take a bar class).

Yep, I am at Gonzaga. I'm sorry to hear about him having his car stolen. I do like it here, class seems to be heading in the right direction. Send me a message and let me know his name and I'll look him up!

I too just finished The DiVinci code. I was actually surprised at how easy the read was, personally. Also, I had the story figured out quite a bit before the end. The best part of the book was the time frame of the book, given the fact that it took place over the period of just a few days.

I am currently reading Who Says Elephants Can't Dance by Lou Gerstner. I great look at big business and how the power of people and customer relationships can turn a company around.